A relaxed drop-in at Lower Wine Bar in Waterloo marked the launch of something truly special in English winemaking. Ratafia of England is a collaborative mistelle from Langham Wine Estate and Capreolus Distillery.
The release represents a bold exploration of a style rarely seen in England. Head Winemaker Tommy Grimshaw and master distiller Barney Wilczak were both present, offering insight into a project that has been quietly evolving for two years. Their collaboration captures Dorset’s chalk terroir in an entirely new form. The result is a fortified grape juice that balances natural sweetness with the vivid acidity and mineral purity that defines Langham’s fruit.
The process is meticulous and uncompromising. Whole bunches of estate-grown Pinot Noir from the 2024 harvest were hand-sorted at Capreolus Distillery in Cirencester, then slowly fermented to preserve floral delicacy before being twice distilled by Barney. The result is an exceptional spirit where 33kg of Pinot Noir grapes are captured in each precious litre. After a year’s maturation, this spirit was blended with oxidatively pressed juice from the 2025 vintage.
“This project has been quietly evolving for two years, and it’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Tommy Grimshaw. “Working with Barney has allowed us to explore our fruit from a different angle, with the purity of distillation and the passion he has for his craft. This ratafia reflects our ethos and approach to our winemaking whilst having some fun along the way. It’s generous, incisive and simply delicious. A true meeting point between Langham and Capreolus.”
The tasting revealed lifted notes of dried orchard fruit and orange blossom, with gentle sweetness balanced by bright acidity and black tea astringency, finishing long and mineral. Served alongside cheese, charcuterie, and tinned fish, with Langham’s range of sparkling wines also available to taste, the ratafia demonstrated remarkable versatility. It proved equally compelling as an aperitif, with cheese, or as a contemplative digestif.
What struck me most was the philosophical alignment between these two producers. Langham’s low-intervention, oxidative approach to winemaking is inspired by the Grower Champagne movement. This finds its natural counterpart in Capreolus’s reputation as one of the world’s foremost producers of fine fruit eaux-de-vie. Both share an unwavering commitment to transparently representing their fruit and terroir.
Bottled at 18% ABV in 375ml format and presented in gift tubes, this small-batch release of just 517 bottles is priced at £49.99. The limited quantity reflects the meticulous nature of the project. This is not mass production but rather a celebration of the full potential of Langham’s Cretaceous chalk-grown Pinot Noir.
The collaboration between Langham Wine Estate in rural Dorset and Capreolus Distillery in the Cotswolds represents more than geographical partnership. It’s a meeting of minds united by curiosity and a refusal to compromise on quality. Ratafia of England demonstrates that English winemaking continues to push boundaries, exploring forms and styles that expand our understanding of what this country’s fruit can achieve.
Langham Wine Estate
www.langhamwine.co.uk
Capreolus Distillery
www.capreolusdistillery.com
Lower Wine Bar:
www.lowerwine.com
